What Anti-Virus Program to Use?

rileyesi · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 398

Hi,

I have used Norton 360 for years and have become very disappointed with it lately. I was just wondering what you guys use? A friend of my son's recommended AVG

http://www.avg.com

I am also using Spybot that was recommended to me here by Luciano. That seems to work great.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pete

AdrianJ · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2470 Location: Queensland

Have a look at
http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
then decide.

Personally I use ZoneAlarm.

But IMHO, your best defence is to not use Microsoft products for Internet activities. That makes you a much smaller target.

rileyesi · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 398

Adrian,

Thanks much for the reply. I'll dig into the link you gave me and educate myself.

How can I access the internet without using Micro$oft products? (If the answer is in the link, sorry for the 'dumb' question).

Pete

AdrianJ · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2470 Location: Queensland

Using at least Thunderbird for mail and Firefox for Web browsing gives at least some protection, even under Windoze. At least these programs dont attempt to run executable scripts just by opening a mail or Web page.

Better still is to run a version of Linux on either another machine, or dual boot on one. I run Ubuntu dual boot, and it allows you to read and transport files to and from the Windoze filesystem, so you can still have access to your work files for uploading etc. Ubuntu has a nice GUI, even better than Windoze IMHO, and at least is relatively easy to use. I just wish there were more drivers written for the common peripherals like printers etc. And of course versions of the development tools like Bascom and AVR Studio.

Of course you have to reboot just to use the 'net, but if you are paranoid about viruses, its an option. I really dont believe that built-in virus protection does much, other than sell more software, and slow your machine down while it runs its scans.

If you do install just a virus scanner under Windoze, run a virus simulator program, and check for yourself that your scanner detects it properly. I did that a long time ago with AVG, and found it did nothing. It might be better now.

Abram_Slaager · Joined: 19 Mar 2010 Posts: 6

Personally I use www.avira.com

There is a private version for free, and several paid versions. Look at the prices for a more year subscription before buying

low overhead, simple in use, but study the documentation beforehand.
Even in harsh environments with camera systems, and huge data transport on line in a commercial network

bram.

ex4 · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 1064 Location: indonesia

AVG Free Edition latest version+Zone Alarm Free Edition latest version = very strong computer protection Very Happy

For curative use Dr Web Cure It free edition+Window Worms Doors Cleaner free Laughing